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Obituaries for Aug. 22, 2012

Wilfred Ray Parker, 59, of Monmouth, a former Baker City resident, died Aug. 18, 2012, after an extended illness.

His memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, at the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center.

He was born on Jan. 14, 1953, in Baker City to Stanley and Velma Parker. He served with the U.S. Air Force from 1971 to 1977. He completed his associate degree from Chemeketa Community College at Salem.

He enjoyed computer technology, reading, classic films, and was a dedicated artist. During his life he worked to build his own construction company and was committed to continuing his education.

Survivors include his daughters, Errin Parker and Cassandra (Jeremy) Polen; his son, Robert Parker; two grandsons, Connor and Mason; his brother, Doug, (Kathy) Parker; two sisters, Sue (Lorrin) Lissman and Deniece (Craig) Parker, and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ray Parker Memorial Fund, which has been established at the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center, which is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be

made at www.dallastribute.com.

LaVern DuMars

Richland, 1928-2012

LaVern Wesley DuMars, 84, of Richland, died Aug. 9, 2012, at his home.

Private family interment will be at the Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland.

Vern was born on Dec. 23, 1928, at La Grande to Leonard Wesley and Amy Pearl DuMars.

Vern went to school in La Grande for 11 years. The family moved to Union his senior year where he graduated in 1947.

He got to see the Pendleton Round-Up as a child when the arena was just a circle of vehicles. Vern spent summers as a teenager working in the grain fields around Pendleton.

After graduation, Vern joined the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War.

He married the love of his life, Pearl Edith Forsea, on April 19, 1953. They lived at Union where Vern got a job at the feed mill, working his way to manager. His first two children, Bob and Margaret, were born while the family lived at Union. They later moved to Snake River and daughter, Chris, joined the family.

When the dams went in, they moved to Eagle Valley. Two more daughters, Barb and Dana, completed the family.

Vern and Pearl dairied many years in Eagle Valley. Vern also served on many boards.

He enjoyed many camping trips to the Eagle Cap Wilderness on horseback with the whole family while the children were growing up. He also enjoyed many trips to Canada and camping trips with Barb’s family. Vern really liked watching his grandkids grow up and was very proud of them.

For 59 years, Vern’s favorite thing was dancing and holding hands with his sweetheart, Pearl. They would sneak off to go dancing and still be home in time for morning milking.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Amy; brother, Gene DuMars; and youngest daughter, Dana Lynn DuMars.

Survivors include his wife, best friend and sweetheart, Pearl; son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Pam DuMars; daughter, Margaret Teets; daughter and son-in-law, Chris and Rob Stacey; daughter and son-in-law, Barb and Bill Ephrom; 15 grandchildren and 15ﬁ great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.

John Ames

Richland, 1932-2012

John Ames, 80, died on Sunday, August 19, 2012, at Richland.

There will be no service.

John was born on Feb. 15, 1932, at El Centro, Calif. He was raised in the Imperial Valley, graduating from high school at El Centro in 1950. John joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 during the Korean War. He served on the U.S.S. Essex for four years.

John married his childhood friend and sweetheart, Anita McLaughlin, at Bremerton, Wash., on May 23, 1953. They raised three children: John, Frank and Lorina.

John worked in agriculture most of his life. He liked working the ground and watching the crops grow.

He and Anita bought a home in Richland and moved there permanently in 1990. He continued farming his place and also leased the Ellis Ranch and a portion of Idaho Power property. He enjoyed getting out on the land riding horses.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and three sisters.

Survivors include his wife, Anita; children, John Ames, Frank Ames and Lorina Moody; two sisters; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.